Viasat Not Working — Dish, Modem & Connection Fixes

Applies to: Viasat satellite internet

1. Check your account and data allowance first

This is worth ruling out before any technical troubleshooting: if you've used up your plan's data allowance for the month, Viasat may restrict your speeds noticeably. Check your account status online, or contact Viasat if you need to add more data.

2. Check the physical connections

• Confirm your modem/gateway and router (if you have a separate one) are both plugged into power, with a steady solid light on the modem.
• Confirm the coaxial cable is securely screwed into the modem/gateway.
• If you're using a third-party router, confirm the Ethernet cable is connected to the Viasat modem's WAN port and securely pushed into your router's WAN port.

3. Full reset, in the correct order

1. Turn off your computer.
2. Unplug the router.
3. Unplug the modem.
4. Disconnect and reconnect any Ethernet cables going to the modem.
5. Plug the modem back in and wait until all its LED lights are solid.
6. Turn the router back on, then your computer.

4. Check dish alignment and line of sight

Unlike some newer satellite services, Viasat's dish needs a clear, unobstructed view specifically toward the southern sky, and needs to stay securely and precisely mounted. If you've had recent storms, high winds, or any physical disturbance near the dish, check that it hasn't shifted even slightly — a small alignment change can noticeably affect signal quality. Trees or other obstructions that have grown into the line of sight since installation are also worth checking.

5. Specifically an iPhone won't get internet over WiFi, while other devices connect fine

This is a real, documented, if unusual pattern worth knowing about: some iPhone users on Viasat have reported their phone shows connected to WiFi but displays "No Internet Connectivity," while Android phones and computers on the same network connect normally. In at least one documented case, Viasat's own support indicated this traced back to a compatibility gap between their network security setup and Apple's specific requirements. If you're seeing this exact pattern — iPhone specifically affected, other device types fine — this is a known category of issue rather than something wrong with your particular phone.

6. Run a modem diagnostic through your account

Sign into your MyViasat account and run the modem diagnostic test — it checks whether your modem and router are functioning correctly and can surface issues that aren't obvious from the lights alone.

7. Slow or spotty connection, even with a solid light

• Move your router (or the devices you're using) closer to it if there's significant distance or obstruction between them — an overstretched WiFi network is a common cause of perceived slowness that isn't actually about your internet service.
• Check for firmware updates on your modem through your account settings.
• If the modem's system light looks abnormal in any way, that's worth noting specifically when you contact support, since it can point to a hardware issue rather than something router-side.